Copper demand to overtake surplus by 2019: Zimtu

Demand for refined copper will overtake the current surplus by 2019, according to Zimtu analyst Derek Hamill.

"Copper supplies are likely to exceed demand in 2014 and 2015; we further expect this situation to persist for 2016 and 2017," Hamill writes in a report titled Multi-Year Global Copper Market Outlook.

But copper demand is intensifying due largely to continued urbanization and industrialization in Asia, particularly China and India, according to Hamill.

He writes that copper mining economics are "changing dramatically" because of rising operating costs, higher regulatory hurdles and declining grades, and notes that this should increase prices.

"Over the 10 year forecast period, copper price are [sic] likely to rise as capital costs and regulatory risks for large scale mining development projects have become significant hurdles deterring investment into future production."